any recommendations for Vientiane?
Tubing? On any quiet river. Stupid drunk tubing in Vang Vieng.
Otherwise it's some Lao style temples, hilltribes (including trekking), motorbike loops is the south (Atapeu and the Bolavens), some caving (Thong Lor in the south, Vang Vieng in the north), river trips by boat, smoking opium in Pakbeng, Gibbon Experience in Bolikamxay and of course the people (considered the second most hobbity in SEA after the Burmans).
Of course there are hookers there too. And cheap beer and cigarettes, I'd recommend trying beer sot (fresh beer, similar to Viet bia hoi) and smoking Dokmaedaeng.
Otherwise it's some Lao style temples, hilltribes (including trekking), motorbike loops is the south (Atapeu and the Bolavens), some caving (Thong Lor in the south, Vang Vieng in the north), river trips by boat, smoking opium in Pakbeng, Gibbon Experience in Bolikamxay and of course the people (considered the second most hobbity in SEA after the Burmans).
Of course there are hookers there too. And cheap beer and cigarettes, I'd recommend trying beer sot (fresh beer, similar to Viet bia hoi) and smoking Dokmaedaeng.
What about those caves that were the HQ of the pathet lao.
Just been opened to tourists and full of stuff from the war.
have you been sonsan?
Just been opened to tourists and full of stuff from the war.
have you been sonsan?
Depends on what you like I guess.
You could spend a couple of days trekking around Muang Sing or try sailing on a slowboat up the Nam Ou from Luang Prabang to Muang Khua. (Or rent/buy a small one and paddle it down, this way you dont need earplugs along the way and get some exercise)
Or just chill in Viang Vieng for a couple of days, mornings spent hiking in the hills on the other bank, afternoons tubing after a mushroomshake or chilling in a hammock with a joint and a couple of beers.
When you have your own transport cruise the roads (wonderfull compared to Cambodia) from South to North or vv, stopping at points of interest.
If its allnight drinking and girls you're after ask around if Wonderland is still open in Vientiane, been a couple of years ago since I was there but good fun.
You could spend a couple of days trekking around Muang Sing or try sailing on a slowboat up the Nam Ou from Luang Prabang to Muang Khua. (Or rent/buy a small one and paddle it down, this way you dont need earplugs along the way and get some exercise)
Or just chill in Viang Vieng for a couple of days, mornings spent hiking in the hills on the other bank, afternoons tubing after a mushroomshake or chilling in a hammock with a joint and a couple of beers.
When you have your own transport cruise the roads (wonderfull compared to Cambodia) from South to North or vv, stopping at points of interest.
If its allnight drinking and girls you're after ask around if Wonderland is still open in Vientiane, been a couple of years ago since I was there but good fun.
None but ourselves can free our mind.
I think they're in Hua Phan, the arse end of Laos... Not easy to get to unless you fly.ken svay wrote:What about those caves that were the HQ of the pathet lao.
Just been opened to tourists and full of stuff from the war.
have you been sonsan?
Never been, Ken.
Good day-trip motorbiking to be had around Vientiane, great food and nice coffee. Oh, and Beer Lao too. Say no more.
The joy of Vientiane is that in no way is it a 'city'. It is a sleepy market town with fabulously decrepit colonial architecture,a steady pace of life and a host of things to keep the inquisitive visitor occupied.
Just have a wander round. Have some eggs and fresh bread for breakfast on the streeet. Have a look at the morning market, be sure to go behind the main building to the outdoor market behind where you can still buy O.
Check out some temples, the river, an art gallery. For a sundowner head North up the river just keep walking where it looks like you are heading nowhere untill you find the local bars. Cheep jugs of beer Laos, tasty snacks and sunset over Thailand.
If you have time to head out of town.... then that's another post. Just avoid V.V.
Just have a wander round. Have some eggs and fresh bread for breakfast on the streeet. Have a look at the morning market, be sure to go behind the main building to the outdoor market behind where you can still buy O.
Check out some temples, the river, an art gallery. For a sundowner head North up the river just keep walking where it looks like you are heading nowhere untill you find the local bars. Cheep jugs of beer Laos, tasty snacks and sunset over Thailand.
If you have time to head out of town.... then that's another post. Just avoid V.V.
- Jacked Camry
- Is the World Outside still there ?
- Reactions: 2
- Posts: 5674
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 2:53 pm
I'd agree with this post, living as I do in this sleepy town. It's basically like a Thai provincial town in Isarn except that it has an international airport and a lot of excellent Western restaurants.Ohsaka wrote:The joy of Vientiane is that in no way is it a 'city'. It is a sleepy market town with fabulously decrepit colonial architecture,a steady pace of life and a host of things to keep the inquisitive visitor occupied.
Just have a wander round. Have some eggs and fresh bread for breakfast on the streeet. Have a look at the morning market, be sure to go behind the main building to the outdoor market behind where you can still buy O.
Check out some temples, the river, an art gallery. For a sundowner head North up the river just keep walking where it looks like you are heading nowhere untill you find the local bars. Cheep jugs of beer Laos, tasty snacks and sunset over Thailand.
If you have time to head out of town.... then that's another post. Just avoid V.V.
I actually like Vang Vieng, it can be enjoyed without too much interaction with the great unwashed hordes of backpackers and their "Tubing in the Vang Vieng" bloody t-shirts if you try. Nice Karst landscape and the river is pleasant downstream of the cheapo bamboo huts that are their normal habitat. Good idea to invest in higher priced accommodations just to be where they ain't.
Luang Prabang is still among my favourite places in Southeast Asia. And there's lots of "off the beaten track" around, especially if you ride.
-
- I need professional help
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 1017
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 1:35 pm
- Location: Ba Ria-Vung Tau, VN
Ohsaka pretty much nails the capital's charms. I like the wide sidewalks, trees and neat cafes and restaurants, plus the historic properties. I feel very relaxed there.
On the night side, you would head to the Water Fountain Square area. Right there is Kop Jai Deu, a multi-level indoor restaurant with large outdoor terrace. Across the street are motorcycle rental places and a couple of minutes past that, northward or up river, is the Jazzy Brick, an upstairs jazz place with top selection of whiskies and scotches. Farther still -- for really late night skankitude -- is Samlo bar, a dive. But before that, you'd want to check out the Bor Pen Nyang rooftop bar on the riverside with pool table and OK selection of freelancers (food is so-so). All of this is walkable in my books.
*Edit: I forgot the disco in the Don Chan Hotel, 3rd floor. It's where everyone ends up and you'll see the same FLs there too that you saw earlier in the evening.
On the night side, you would head to the Water Fountain Square area. Right there is Kop Jai Deu, a multi-level indoor restaurant with large outdoor terrace. Across the street are motorcycle rental places and a couple of minutes past that, northward or up river, is the Jazzy Brick, an upstairs jazz place with top selection of whiskies and scotches. Farther still -- for really late night skankitude -- is Samlo bar, a dive. But before that, you'd want to check out the Bor Pen Nyang rooftop bar on the riverside with pool table and OK selection of freelancers (food is so-so). All of this is walkable in my books.
*Edit: I forgot the disco in the Don Chan Hotel, 3rd floor. It's where everyone ends up and you'll see the same FLs there too that you saw earlier in the evening.
Ohsaka wrote:The joy of Vientiane is that in no way is it a 'city'. It is a sleepy market town with fabulously decrepit colonial architecture,a steady pace of life and a host of things to keep the inquisitive visitor occupied.
Just have a wander round. Have some eggs and fresh bread for breakfast on the streeet. Have a look at the morning market, be sure to go behind the main building to the outdoor market behind where you can still buy O.
Check out some temples, the river, an art gallery. For a sundowner head North up the river just keep walking where it looks like you are heading nowhere untill you find the local bars. Cheep jugs of beer Laos, tasty snacks and sunset over Thailand.
If you have time to head out of town.... then that's another post. Just avoid V.V.
"We want our country to develop step by step. But that is such a long way off . . . as far away as the stars."
Jobless father in documentary Cambodia: Country of Scars.
Jobless father in documentary Cambodia: Country of Scars.
-
- I need professional help
- Reactions: 7
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:52 am
You're wrong !Khmeria wrote:Probably the most boring city in Asia.
-
- I need professional help
- Reactions: 7
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:52 am
You're right !Ohsaka wrote:The joy of Vientiane is that in no way is it a 'city'. It is a sleepy market town with fabulously decrepit colonial architecture,a steady pace of life and a host of things to keep the inquisitive visitor occupied.
Just have a wander round. Have some eggs and fresh bread for breakfast on the streeet. Have a look at the morning market, be sure to go behind the main building to the outdoor market behind where you can still buy O.
Check out some temples, the river, an art gallery. For a sundowner head North up the river just keep walking where it looks like you are heading nowhere untill you find the local bars. Cheep jugs of beer Laos, tasty snacks and sunset over Thailand.
If you have time to head out of town.... then that's another post. Just avoid V.V.
-
- Impin' Aint Easy
- Reactions: 22
- Posts: 1750
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:07 am
I don't undertsand why VV gets such a bad wrap. It is what it is. If you can't stand drunken young backpackers, which is what it is, then don't go. That being said the town boats a shitload of activities beyond tubing and hiking. Caving is awesome, push bike trails have been created by those wanting to go off the track. And unlike in other parts of Laos it's far easier to make a connection with the locals, due to the fact that they've gotten used to tourists. I generally find Laotions to be very shy.
I do agree though that vientiane is a generally boring place.
I do agree though that vientiane is a generally boring place.
Quite very boring. Most boring? I couldn't tell.Lucky Seven wrote:You're wrong !Khmeria wrote:Probably the most boring city in Asia.
I'm sure there are. i just havent found them yet. Not one. It must be a pretty low-key scene.sunsan wrote:Of course there are hookers
-
- Impin' Aint Easy
- Reactions: 22
- Posts: 1750
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:07 am
Hookers are very much an underground scene. Ask motodops. There are a shitload of lady boys at almost every bar that dares break the 11pm cerfew. Remeber it is illegal for a falang to sleep with a Lao national. It's how they have kept prostitution out of the country.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
Cannibal killer captured in Vientiane
by Guest » Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:49 pm » in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Lao forums - 7 Replies
- 2145 Views
-
Last post by Visser
Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:11 pm
-
-
- 13 Replies
- 2969 Views
-
Last post by Alex
Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:23 am
-
-
Repatriation flight 15th-20th June from Phnom Penh to Frankfurt via Vientiane
by Bong Burgundy » Fri Jun 05, 2020 2:12 am » in Cambodia Speakeasy - 19 Replies
- 4775 Views
-
Last post by Visser
Sun Jun 07, 2020 2:40 am
-
-
- 3 Replies
- 2056 Views
-
Last post by batshitcrazyweirdo
Sat Aug 10, 2019 6:15 pm